Abstract: A method for determining a need for changing a spark plug of a combustion engine, comprising the following steps: monitoring a current flowing through the spark plug, analyzing the current and thereby determine a time interval that is indicative for the time between application of a voltage to the spark plug and formation of an arc discharge between electrodes of the spark plug, creating a signal indicative of the need to change the spark plug if the duration of the determined time interval is outside predefined bounds.

Abstract: A method for operating an ignition coil is described, wherein a secondary voltage pulse is generated by feeding a primary voltage pulse into a transformer of the ignition coil, and a primary current, a primary voltage, a secondary current and/or a secondary voltage are measured, wherein the course of the primary current, the primary voltage, the secondary voltage and/or the secondary current are monitored and, when a malfunction is determined during subsequent primary voltage pulse, an error signal is generated which indicates that a malfunction has occurred during the previous primary voltage pulse and classifies the malfunction. In addition, a corresponding ignition coil is described.

Abstract: A method for actuating a spark plug, in which the spark plug is assigned a first ignition coil and second ignition coil.

Abstract: A method for operating an ignition coil is described, wherein a secondary voltage pulse is generated by feeding a primary voltage pulse into a transformer of the ignition coil, and a primary current, a primary voltage, a secondary current and/or a secondary voltage are measured, wherein the course of the primary current, the primary voltage, the secondary voltage and/or the secondary current are monitored and, when a malfunction is determined during subsequent primary voltage pulse, an error signal is generated which indicates that a malfunction has occurred during the previous primary voltage pulse and classifies the malfunction. In addition, a corresponding ignition coil is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining a need for changing a spark plug of a combustion engine, comprising the following steps: monitoring a current flowing through the spark plug, analyzing the current and thereby determine a time interval that is indicative for the time between application of a voltage to the spark plug and formation of an arc discharge between electrodes of the spark plug, creating a signal indicative of the need to change the spark plug if the duration of the determined time interval is outside predefined bounds.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for limiting the starting current of a step-up-converter that is supplied by a DC voltage source. The step-up converter has a first capacitor, a coil connected in parallel to the first capacitor, a second capacitor connected to the coil in series, and a switch connected to the second capacitor in parallel and connected to the coil in series. In a first step, an output voltage of the circuit is measured and the step-up converter is connected to the DC voltage source by closing a power switch that is connected in series to the first capacitor. In a second step, the power switch is opened upon the output voltage increasing by more than a predefined threshold and is maintained open for a predefined time. The first and second steps are repeated until the output voltage reaches a predefined final value.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for limiting the starting current of a step-up-converter that is supplied by a DC voltage source. The step-up converter has a first capacitor, a coil connected in parallel to the first capacitor, a second capacitor connected to the coil in series, and a switch connected to the second capacitor in parallel and connected to the coil in series. In a first step, an output voltage of the circuit is measured and the step-up converter is connected to the DC voltage source by closing a power switch that is connected in series to the first capacitor. In a second step, the power switch is opened upon the output voltage increasing by more than a predefined threshold and is maintained open for a predefined time. The first and second steps are repeated until the output voltage reaches a predefined final value.

Abstract: A method for actuating a spark plug, in which the spark plug is assigned a first ignition coil and second ignition coil.

Abstract: A method for actuating a spark plug, in which the spark plug is assigned a first ignition coil and second ignition coil.

Abstract: A method for actuating a spark plug, in which the spark plug is assigned a first ignition coil and second ignition coil.